Trampoline parks pop up in southwestern Connecticut

Trampoline parks pop up in southwestern Connecticut

When Edward Kim saw how popular trampoline parks had become out West, he knew he wanted to do something locally.

"We had a trampoline in the backyard for years and the kids just love them," he said. "What kid doesn't?"

In February, Kim opened the Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park in the Francis J. Clarke Business Park in Bethel, the first Fairfield County location for the company. It also has Connecticut locations in New Haven, Wallingford and Hartford.

"My kids are active in sports, but when they aren't playing they have an iPhone or an iPad in their hands," Kim said. "I wanted to bring something to the area that would be a health activity for kids and get them away from all those electronic hand-held devices."

And besides being a healthy activity, Kim said it's also just plain fun.

"When kids come out of there they all have big smiles on their faces," he said.

It's a sentiment companies like Rockin' Jump, which opened in May in Trumbull, are counting on for success as more businesses take the leap by opening trampoline parks in southwestern Connecticut.

Stamford's Chelsea Piers Connecticut also has a trampoline room in its facility, in addition to a rock climbing wall.

Shay Grogan, assistant director of gymnastics at Chelsea Piers, said she thinks trampolines are being seen more often now because they are safer than they've ever been, with in-ground structures and softer landing surfaces.

"I think they've come up with greater methods of using them, so it's been easier for places and gyms to have them," she said.

Erica Bates Schietinger, a spokesperson for Chelsea Piers, said the area lends itself to fitness-based recreation.

"Fairfield County has a lot of adults and children who are interested in health and fitness and a healthy lifestyle," she said.

At Rockin' Jump, the idea for a trampoline park originated out of 10-year-old Lily Rodier's love of the sport. The youngster fell in love with the trampoline the first time she jumped on it, said her mother, Roni Rodier, who is head of the mathematics department at Stratford High School.

"Lily tried it once, and it was like there was no going back. She was in love," she said.

For the last several years, Lily has been a competitive trampolinist. But she also enjoyed jumping in her spare time.

"We noticed everyone just really enjoyed playing with her," Rodier said. "We did some research and found trampoline parks are extremely popular out West. So we just went for it."

When looking to open a park locally, Kim, a Weston resident, said Bethel was the perfect location.

"It's a nice, safe, family-friendly community where (people) can feel comfortable bringing their children," he said.

Sky Zone has about 60 locations in the United States, a number that will likely grow to more than 100 by the end of next year, Kim said.

"I'm looking for another location myself in Fairfield County," he said. "Where that is, though, I can't disclose at this time."